How do I tell my parents I’m pregnant?

There are times when your parents are definitely not the easiest people in the world to talk with, and it is even worse if the the conversation is about something you know will be upsetting. Try to remember that if you are pregnant, your parents are likely the people in the best position to help you now as you work towards making responsible decisions.

But how do I actually break the news?

Choose a time when you will have complete privacy with your parents and you have their complete attention. Tell them that you need to talk to them about a serious situation and ask them to please not interrupt you until you have finished. If you would rather tell your mom first, and later your dad, then plan on that.

From the first word you utter, be completely honest with your parents. Tell them exactly what your problem is and ask them for their help. Your parents love you and they will want to be there to support you through this difficult time.

Start the conversation with the maturity that you will need from now on. You are in a tough situation and facing it in an adult way will make the road a little less rocky. Avoid arguing and sarcasm; remember your parents may be the best friends you could have at this time in your life.

What will I do with a baby though?

After the initial shock wears off, explain to your parents about how you will handle this situation. If you have decided to keep your baby, be sure your parents are in agreement if you are expecting money, help, or support from them. It must be understood that if a young mother decides to live with her parents and keep her baby, it is very important that all parties involved including grandparents know that the responsibility and care for that child lies with the mother. Things could end up very messy later on if a line is not drawn.

If adoption is what you have in mind, ask your parents for their full support in this decision. After thinking the situation through, they will likely be very supportive in this decision. Learn about your options with open adoption, including the contact you and your family can have with your child and the adoptive family. You can even choose your baby’s parents and meet them beforehand!

Remember, your parents will be pretty upset by this news; they love you very deeply and they probably had dreams for you that a pregnancy may likely put an end to. All parents want their children to be successful and happy and having a child at a young age tends to make achieving success a much more difficult accomplishment. Hang in there because that same love that is spurring their anger will win out and they will very likely want to stand by you through this difficult time in your life.

What if they kick me out?

Without the support of your parents, your choices may be more limited, especially if the father of your baby isn’t around. You need to seriously weigh your options, your earning potential, taking providing for a baby into account, and what you truly want for your future. This doesn’t have to ruin your life, in fact, many girls have found an unplanned pregnancy to be the thing they needed in order to get their life on track towards reaching their goals.

Through choosing adoption, you can provide your child with a life that you choose for them, all the while having contact with them and their family if they desire. You can pursue your future, even college with an educational scholarship, and even get the help you need to get on your feet with a fresh start! Adoption may be just the option that you need too!

If you would like to talk to someone about your decision, you can call us any time at 1-800-923-6784 to confidentially discuss your choices. We understand where you’re at, and what you are going through.